Do not reward Chesbro with votes

Under threat of penalties, interest and liens I've reluctantly paid the $150 state fire tax. I am also sending a petition for redetermination to three different government agencies as required by law. I paid the tax and filed the petition because I wanted to do this the right way, which is what we all expect from our elected representatives in Sacramento. In the case of the state fire fee (ABX1 29) this does not seem to ring true. Is it a fee or a tax? Because some our legislators failed to do it the right way, we now have a lawsuit.

Assemblyman Chesbro said he supports the lawsuit ("Locals react to Cal Fire fee lawsuit," Times-Standard, Oct. 6, Page A1). Chesbro also said it's clear to him the fee is actually a tax which would have required a two-thirds vote in the legislature, not the simple majority it received. He said if he is reelected in November that he would continue his fight against the fee. Why did he vote to pass ABX1 29 in the first place and now states he will work to repeal it if reelected? Could it be the upcoming election might have something to do with it?

A recent bill (AB 1492) that passed adds a 1 percent tax on the sale price of lumber at retail stores. Chesbro voted for this bill too. With California's unemployment rate of 10.6 percent, more new taxes, highest gas prices in the nation, do we really want to reelect this career politician again?